Su - verified booking

"Santa Maria'a location is perfect to explore the island from. It is a relatively quite location with stunning views and local attractions and amenities are close by. Larger supermarkets and towns are all within 15-20 mins drive. Bus services are also very convenient and regular to many locations on the island.The cottage is very clean and equipped to a very high standard, which includes books and dvd's for all the family, not to mention Sky and internet connection that was very reliable. The outside balcony area (with steps down to the garden / parking), serve as a fabulous place to eat meals. Relaxing to read a book with stunning views, horses in the field that backs onto the long garden, is all so easy.Parking is available for one car (maybe two) at the rear of the property however, reversing down the steep access between cottages needs care. There is no parking available at the front of the property and as it is a relatively busy road, parking at the rear of the cottage is recommended. Easy access to bungalow via the lovely stairs at the rear of the property is extremely convenient and safe.The owners are a pleasure to communicate with and available as they live on the island, and I would most definitely stay in this cottage again.Su - Reading, UK"

Kelly - verified booking

"We had a fantastic stay at Santa Maria over the Christmas week. We received a lovely welcome, with Christmas lights, music, real Christmas tree, presents under the tree for us and the children, as well as a gorgeous welcome hamper and homemade Christmas cake. We felt at home right away and were impressed by how well stocked the cottage was with things like kitchen cleaning products, toys, books, dvd's and even festive toilet roll. The garden is a lovely size and the balcony would be great to use during the summer as the view was fabulous. We enjoyed using the wood burner which made the property feel even more cosy. There's so much to do on the Isle of Wight, but we would definitely recommend the Santa specials at the nearby steam railway over the Christmas period. The only small issue we had was with the steep on-site parking. This was easily resolved by parking on the road outside the property. We would highly recommend this cottage as the owners Paul and Jenny really put in a lot of thought and effort to make it a home from home. We would definitely like to stay at Santa Maria again in the future, perhaps in the warmer months next time. "

Mr OveryMrs ThomeMrs SampfordMrs Alton - verified booking

"Unfortunately when we arrived it was far from clean thick layer of dust everywhere cobwebs at the windows and cleaning material left on lounge table. Have used Sykes meny times so I know this is not how there properties are normally presented. I would still use Sykes cottages.The view was just amazing. In the evening we had Alum Bay and surroundings on our own. The cottage was clean and well equipped. We want to come back one day.Probably the best view on the Island. Would have been nice to have had a toilet roll in each toilet when we arrived, and a slightly better welcome pack on arrival. The sinks in the ensuite are far to small. you could definitely get a larger one in the double bedroom. My husband struggled to shave, and clean our teeth. The key safe needs changing, we struggled to get in or out. It would have been nice to have some garden chairs to sit on at the front, the wonky picnic bench was ok but not comfortable.. directions for using the hob were not to clear, took a while to manage to use."

Rachel - verified booking

"Bathrooms- downstairs shower door would not open or close, rendering bathroom un usableupstairs - shower heads in both bathrooms leaked constantly, making waterspillages everywhere. Bathrooms were tired, and showers had many layers of white sealant ontop of each other allaround shower cubicles, flooring was lifting. ventilation fans did not work in each bathroom.There was no dishwasher in kitchen, but a hole where it had been, there was no instruction book for washing machine (there was an instruction book for non existant dishwasher)no storage for clothes in twin bedroom, we had to request a coffee table.There were signs on the decking saying 'slippery when wet' but the decking was actually trecherous when wet and we all had some nasty falls on it. It needs looking at"

Paul - verified booking

"Our cottage was switched to another one on arrival, as there was some problem with the heating in the one we'd booked. It became apparent, however, that the replacement wasn't ready for occupation either, with the fire detectors going off - on reporting the fault, an engineer arrived to correct this. We also questioned a significant damp patch on the carpet in the main bedroom by the shower-room door, which the engineer confirmed he would report. The next morning, water was dripping through the lounge ceiling. The leak was repaired that day, although a mess remained on the living room ceiling throughout the week and was not corrected. The shower doors in the property were also very difficult to open/close and the showers were generally small and did not function well."